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Nocturnal Animals

Brief Synopsis:"A woman named Susan receives a book manuscript from her ex-husband — a man she left 20 years earlier — asking for her opinion of his writing. As she reads, she is drawn into the fictional life of Tony Hastings, a math professor whose family vacation turns violent."

Ratings Breakdown(The Mixed Bag)

- Nocturnal Animals is a beast of a movie. With just his second feature film now under his belt buckle, sophomore director Tom Ford has made it clear that he is a heavy hitter who intends to play ball this awards season.(full review)

- Honestly, had the film only been of the story in the manuscript itself, it would have been better. The superficial characters of the 'real world' bring nothing to the table and even Edward Sheffield, who we only see in flashbacks, ends us with a reminder that he's not much better, either.

- Nocturnal Animals is an intriguing, well-wrought film that explores themes of loyalty, materialism, choices made too quickly. What's most impressive are the transistions from Susan's current life, to the fictional story, to then to she and Tony's past it's all so perfectly balanced and never jarring. Tom Ford understands how to make an art film, and still have it be accessible.(full review)